For Head Coach Matt LaFleur, Phase 2 has begun.
He's had the veterans in for a brief mini-camp. He's had the draft choices, rookie free agents and tryout players in for another introductory session.
(Packer players limber up for OTA practice)
Hooray, hooray, it's time for the OTA's. Three weeks of organized team activities began on Monday and the first public practice was held today on Clarke Hinkle Field.
Phase 2 is actually an accelerated installation of his offensive system and it's where LaFleur began his post-practice news conference.
(Audio: Matt LaFleur)
The practice spent a lot of time on early down running plays during limited team periods along with plenty of passing game work during seven on seven periods.
(Aaron Jones tunes up footwork on Clarke Hinkle Field)
Even LaFleur admitted they're only beginning to get a read on what players fit best with certain personnel combinations. By the end of the OTA's and mandatory mini-camp next month, they'll have a much better idea how they want to line up and go to work when training camp arrives in late July.
That being said, here's how the first team offense and defense lined up when it was 11 on 11.
On offense, Aaron Rodgers had Aaron Jones and Danny Vitale in the backfield, Jimmy Graham at tight end with Geronimo Allison and Equamineous St. Brown at wide receiver. The offensive line from left tackle to right was David Bakhtiari, Lane Taylor, Corey Linsley, Billy Turner and Bryan Bulaga.
On defense, Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry and Montravious Adams were up front with Za'Darius Smith, and Preston Smith at outside linebacker, Blake Martinez and Oren Burks inside. The corners were Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson with Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage at safety.
I thought it interesting that all four unrestricted free agents signed by GM Brian Gutekunst this off-season were running with the ones.
Savage was the only draft choice getting first team, first snap reps.
The OTA's are voluntary under the collective bargaining agreement but turnout was very good. Only three players were absent, free agent rookie linebacker Greg Roberts, veteran tight end Mercedes Lewis and safety Josh Jones.
ESPN's Rob Demovsky revealed today that Jones is skipping the OTA's to work out on his own in Florida and apparently instructing his agent to have the Packers seek to trade him. The former second round draft choice in 2017 hasn't been able to consistently work his way on to the field in two seasons. The Packers overhauled the safety position in the past year, trading Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and letting Kentrell Brice walk. With the signing of Amos and drafting of Savage, Jones must feel his role will be nothing more than as a backup again and he wants a fresh start somewhere else.
LaFleur was asked about Jones asking for a trade but he pushed that topic toward Gutekunst.
I talked with veteran Tramon Williams about the Jones request. He said players have to do what they think is best for them but wouldn't go much further adding the team can only concern itself with the players who are here.
Davante Adams was not on the field but LaFleur says he's in the building and he was withheld from practice as a precaution.
Mike Daniels, Tre Carson and Kevin King were also withheld from drills.
Fans couldn't resist a peek at the Pack as perhaps 200 lined the chain link fence on the west side of Clarke Hinkle Field to watch the nearly two hour practice.
The Packers will have a closed workout Wednesday, break until after Memorial Day with a second public practice on May 29.